Mary is backing for Suzy Lamplugh Trust campaign for national minimum standards in taxi and private hire licensing

A new campaign urging national minimum standards for taxi and private
hire licensing has been launched at the Commons by the respected
personal safety charity, Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

North Tyneside MP Mary Glindon said "evidence shows that taxi and
private hire licences are being granted to drivers with criminal
convictions including violent offences. The lack of national minimum
standards to enforce sufficient safety checks compromises public
safety."

Mary Glindon added: "All taxi and private hire drivers must be
rigorously checked wherever they live in the country. Everyone who
uses a taxi or private hire vehicle should be confident that their
driver has been appropriately vetted, and that they will reach their
destination safely."

More information on the ‘Steering towards safety’ campaign and report can be found at www.suzylamplugh.org______________________________________________________

Mary backs fight for fast access to life-saving treatments

People with devastating muscle-wasting conditions need faster access to life-saving treatments, according to the Muscular Dystrophy charity.

Mary, who hosted the charity’s inaugural lFast Track event for people with muscular dystrophy, parliamentarians, pharmaceutical industry representatives, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, said: "we heard how lengthy and unnecessary delays to the drug approval process endangers lives. The NHS needs more powers to negotiate good deals with pharmaceutical companies, streamline access to treatments, and early access schemes, which bring treatments to patients faster."

Mary, who also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Muscular Dystrophy, added: "Meeting those affected by this cruel condition really hit home just urgent is the need to get life-changing treatments to families. As muscle-wasting conditions progress rapidly, people with muscular dystrophy need rapid access to breakthrough drugs."

Nic Bungay, Director of Campaigns, Care and Information at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “For people with muscle-wasting conditions, every day counts. Time and again we’ve seen how the UK lags behind other countries in Europe when it comes to getting life-saving treatments to patients as quickly as possible. With new treatments for muscular dystrophy on the horizon, we must tackle the barriers that prevent them getting to patients. We’re delighted to have Mary backing our campaign.”

Last week, people with the devastating muscle-wasting condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) were given fresh hope with the announcement of a scheme which could give them access to vital treatment earlier than expected. The scheme would give families access to Spinraza – the first and only treatment for SMA – while it is being assessed for funding on the NHS by NICE. For babies with the most severe SMA type, life expectancy without access to the drug is rarely more than two years. However, the interim scheme does not guarantee access to treatment in the long term.

The charity is warning that with more rare disease drugs like Spinraza reaching the market, patients will face agonising waits to access them without urgent reform to the drug approval process.

This week Mary signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in doing so pledginghercommitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.

Saturday 27th January will mark the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the site of the largest mass murder in history.

In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘The power of words’.

Mary said:

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from North Tyneside and across the country to reflect on the tragic events of the Holocaust. As the Holocaust moves from living history, to just history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the victims and also pay tribute to the survivors. I would encourage my constituents to show their support for such an important day.”

“The Holocaust did not start in the gas chambers but with hate filled words. Our mission is to educate young people from every background about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance. We are very grateful to Mary for signing the Book of Commitment, signalling a continued commitment to remembering the victims of the Holocaust as well as challenging antisemitism, prejudice and bigotry in all its forms.”
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Mary attends Parkinson's UK Charity event

The 200th anniversary this month of the original diagnosis of Parkinson's disease has sparked calls for more clinical trials to help find better treatments and a cure in years not decades.

Mary, who attended a Parliamentary event organised by the Parkinson's UK charity, said: 'Parkinson’s is a terrible degenerative neurological condition that affects one in 500 people in North Tyneside, which means many know it directly and indirectly. It robs people of their independence and causes debilitating symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and hallucinations.'

Mary added: 'We need more research, improved services, andempowering people with Parkinson’s to take control so they can turn their lives around. It's one of those diseases that can hit anyone and society should do more to beat it, as we have with other diseases.'

Nearly 130,000 people have Parkinson's nationwide. There is no cure
and current medication can’t stop the condition from progressing. A ground-breaking inquiry by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s into access to timely and appropriate mental health support will report next Spring.

Parkinson’s UK Chief Executive Steve Ford said: 'With 2017 marking such a significant anniversary for us, we wanted to reflect on what we have achieved and what we have yet to do in order to improve the lives of everybody affected by Parkinson’s, but we can’t do this alone.'
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Mary stands up for faith and freedom on #RedWednesday

On 22 November, Mary attended the #RedWednesday parliamentary event hosted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), in partnership with Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), to stand up for faith and freedom around the world.

For the second year running, the Houses of Parliament in Westminster floodlit red in support of #RedWednesday, the initiative which calls on people to shine a light on persecution and stand up for faith and freedom.

At the Parliamentary event on 22 November, Members of the House of Commons and Peers from the House of Lords heard about the plight of Christians who are persecuted for their faith worldwide and the important role they play in encouraging the Government to promote and protect the freedom of religion or belief globally.

Mary said: “I was pleased to attend the #RedWednesday parliamentary event with ACN and CSW. As buildings throughout the country, including the Houses of Parliament, shine a light on persecution around the world by lighting red on 22 November, I am proud to show my support for this important cause and stand up for faith and freedom in Parliament.”
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Mary Supports Votes at 16

I support lowering the voting age to 16 as I believe this will help energise and engage young people and ensure their voices are heard. I also believe votes at 16 would strengthen our democracy and open it up to a new generation - as was quite clearly borne out in the Scottish Independence Referendum, where more than 100,000 16 and 17 year olds registered to vote and 75% of those registered voted.

At 16, you are eligible to pay tax, get married or even join the army. I therefore believe that 16 and 17 year olds deserve a vote and at the 2017 General Election I stood on a manifesto which committed to reduce the voting age to 16. I also believe that extending the franchise should be accompanied by improved citizenship education because this is an important way to ensure young people are engaged and informed in the political process
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Mary Supports the Global Blanket Petition.

Mary Glindon MP, Alan Campbell MP, and North East Soroptimists recently presented their Global Blanket on Anti-Slavery Day to No.10 Downing Street.

The Global Blanket petition aims to draw awareness of the trafficking of women and girls in making clothes for the fashion industry. It is hoped the international campaign will attract a million signatures by 2019.